Ukraine's stock exchange opened on Wednesday with its key UX index 2.93% down to 863.67 points. By 13.40 Moscow time, decline worsened to 3.57%.

The hryvnia currency and stocks are falling amid the opposition’s clashes with police in Kiev, where smoke still billows above Independence Square. Ukraine's Ministry of Health says clashes have killed 24. Opposition leaders are urging protesters to sustain a line of fire burning on the square since Tuesday.